Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-05-10

The District Authorities Maintain th
Validity Of the Law.

RETURN MADE TO-DAY IN THE srANDroRD HABRAs
CORPUS CAsE-TT Is ARGUED THAT THE Law OF
1864 DID NOT NEED THE MAYORS SIGNATURE.
To-day In the case OF Harry Standiford, the
druggist at the southwest corner OF 9th and
streets, who was arrested a few weeks ago for q
violation OF the law by selling cigars on Sunday,
and In whose case, after his conviction and CON-
mitment, writ Of habeas corpus was sued out,
directed to w. III. StOutenburgh intendant Of the
asylum, Mr. II. Z. Davis, counsel, flied for Mr..
Stoutenburgh, his return.
One Of the grounds urged In the petition for
writ OF habeas corpus was that the Sunday ordi-
nance OF November. 1854 under which the prose-
cution OF Mr.. Standiford was begun, was invalid,
as it did not have the mayors signature. On this
point the return filed to-day sets out the proceed
ings OF the city council at which the ordinance was
passed, November g. 1864, and says that after the
passage OF the act the two boards Of aldermen
and common council, in conformity with law,
adjourned until the following Monday, the 5th
day OF December.
Thereupon. In conformity to the law and prac-
tice the bill was duly sent to the mayor, and the
mayor did not within five days after receiving the
act, or at any time, return 1t with his diSapprOva
either In writing or otherwise; and the boards OF
aldermen and common council did not by their ad-
tournament prevent the return OF the act within
the five days, for the boards did not adjourn,
within the meaning OF the acts OF incorporation,
until the 10Th day, the last Monday, OF May, A. d.
1863, on which day the said +" sixty-secOnd cOun-
Gil was adjourned sine die; by reason OF which,
dS tIIc ftSfoHucIt ID duFIStu ''ACL W pItNtut
violations OF the Sabbath" became q law of the
corporation in full force.
1t is further set forth that the ordinance was
taken by all concerned TO be a valid law, and by
the city council in passing acts and resolutions
amending the ordinance in question.
An Open Letter to the Civil Service
Commissioners.
Gentlemen: 1t would be difficult to describe,
perhaps impossible to exaggerate, the dismay
which your recent rules concerning examinations
for all the clerks now in Office has produced.
1t would be a kindness on your part to explain
your designs so clearly that they should be under
stood better than they now are As now under
stood, the effect upon many nervous and over
worked clerks Is positively cruel Perhaps 1t is
OF the clerks have worked over hours, often into
the evenings past O'Clock, and sometimes work
has been taken home TO he done on the Sabbath,
when the desire on the part OF the officials
that superintend has led In that direction.
The, ambition on the part OF heads OF
Departments TO report to Congress that they
could do the work with less force than did their
predecessors has resulted in the everlasting OF
fortunate subordinates, and Uncle sam should be
very grateful for this saving from the poor clerks
time and wages, considering that his own reve-
nueS are in such hampered condition. Now, do
not believe that 1t was the object OF the Civil Ser
vice commission, with whose work and principles
am In hearty sympathy, to impose on the excel
lent and weary clerks at this season Of the year
(when they are looking forward to their annual
leave with such desire for rest) the necessity OF
studying hard in their old school books, every
hour they get out OF Office, TO prepare themselves
for the compulsory examinations that they see
before them. And yet the best clerks, as
well as the poorest, are fearing this. The
best clerk that 1 know OF, the one
who is always called upon In her Office whenever
especially excellent work is desired feels that the
good work would go for nothing IL some young
mind fresh from the school, would answer ques-
lions In arithmetic, history, geography, &c. better
than she could. Another says: "My record and
my work is good; that kno,r; and do not think
they could easily find another to do IL well; but
It's long since went to school, and could easily
fail In questions OF history" &C. ''The ladies in
apprehens1ve, and they believe 1t Is all plan to
turn out the old clerks and give their places
people," so goes on the talk, and one pitteS the
trouble OF so many whose lives, almost, seem to
depend on their work and wages in Office.
III Is quite curious Tact that the really tncOm-
petent, OF whom there are Je,U, those who hold
their places and high salaries by favor and influ-
ence do not seem as much disturbed by the new
prospects as do the capable and accomplished.
If, as l understand 1t, the aim OF the Commits
sion is TO weed out such incapableS who hold their
places by influence, they are the parties who
should be disturbed, and II the examinations are
to inquire into the quality and capacity OF clerks
for their work, in competition with each other,
side aspirantS just from school and college, there
Is surely no need OF good clerks being diSmayed
hear OF men whom the new rules are turning
to their school books; but men are more philosO-
phical in these matters than women and there
are other ways open TO them Of getting living II
they lose Office. 1t is the women in the Depart
tmentS for whom these places are exceptionally
good In pecuntary view (nOt so good In some
other views, and trust you will make your new
rules SO plainly understood that good clerks will
that are now causing them SO much suffering.
II. c, INGERSOLI